Citing sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, the report states iOS 7's built-in Settings application will enable users to sign in to the Flickr photo-sharing platform and Vimeo video-sharing service and begin uploading content directly from their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad with a single tap from the system-wide share menu. 9to5Mac notes it is likely that the new integration also will support instant Flickr login via various App Store apps, enabling users to bypass manual logins for each individual Flickr-connected app.

Flickr is owned by Yahoo. Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported Yahoo and Apple entered discussions to integrate Yahoo Web services more deeply into the iOS user experience: Yahoo weather and finance apps are already preloaded on iPhone and iPad devices, and other Yahoo data helps power Apple's Siri voice assistant. Sources told the WSJ that Apple and Yahoo are exploring a deal that would encompass more pre-installed Yahoo content and/or an expanded Siri partnership.

9to5Mac states Apple will turn to Vimeo to offer an alternative to archrival Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) YouTube video platform. Apple removed YouTube as a preloaded iOS application with the fall 2012 launch of iOS 6: Last September, Google introduced a new standalone version of the video service optimized for the iPhone and iPod touch, complete with paid advertising, and by the end of 2012, the YouTube app was downloaded on close to 45 percent of all iPhones across the U.S., according to mobile metrics firm Onavo. 9to5Mac's sources did not comment on whether Vimeo might fully replace YouTube video uploading in a future version of the iOS software.

Apple, Yahoo and Vimeo did not respond to requests for comment.

Apple introduced deep Twitter integration with the 2011 release of iOS 5, allowing users to sign in once to tweet directly from all Twitter-enabled apps--among them Photos, Camera and Safari--with a single tap. Facebook integration followed a year later with iOS 6, introducing single sign-in across all Facebook-enabled iOS apps; Apple also integrated Facebook into iTunes and the App Store, enabling consumers to "like" apps, music, TV and movies and also browse friends' recommendations.

Apple is expected to unveil iOS 7 during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, kicking off in San Francisco on June 10. Insiders say iOS 7 will introduce a revamped "flat" user interface that eliminates longtime iOS design hallmarks like gloss, shine and skeuomorphism. Apple Senior Vice President of Industrial Design Jony Ive--who assumed control of the firm's Human Interface efforts last fall following the exit of Scott Forstall, Apple's longtime senior vice president of iOS software--is spearheading the revamp.

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